Run This Town: Complete Series

by Sadie Black

  In Ciara’s experience, if a sentence had to be prefaced with ‘no offense’, it was better not to say it at all. Miranda had pushed her to her limit, and she sat up straight in her chair and bit back.

  “No offense, Miranda, but do you know what a condescending snob you are? I’m not a child — I’m an adult, and I know exactly what I want. You might think that you’re elevated above the rest of the world, but you’re really just a hateful, ignorant woman. I don’t know why you think I’m going to sit here like an idiot who doesn’t realize she’s being mocked and looked down on.”

  Miranda was stunned to silence.

  “When I came here for a consultation, it did not give you the right to plan the biggest wedding in New York political history, it gave you a chance at the privilege.” Ciara stood, and as she did, Paul did too. The grin on his face was priceless. Paul didn’t tolerate rudeness, and although his disposition was sunny, he wasn’t afraid to give anyone a piece of his mind. Ciara felt as though she was taking a page out of his book as she confronted Miranda.

  “And that is a privilege you have most certainly lost. So, have a good day, Ms. Guffro,” she said as she headed for the door. Paul narrowly withheld a victory dance. “When you’re ready to talk to me like you understand what I’ve just said, you can contact me with an apology.”

  They were out the door with their coats before Miranda had time to reply.

  “If it makes you feel any better,” Paul said, “I think that Miranda is a crazy, and that you can do way better by yourself. And uh, I support your choice of green. Paris is full of a bunch of snobs anyway. If you make emerald happen, you know it’s going to catch on. Don’t follow trends; set them.”

  “Thanks Paul,” Ciara said.

  At long last she’d found a friend within the high paced, impersonal boundaries of the big city. As death lurked for her, Paul was a sign that they’d chosen the right path forward. Yet, as comforting as his presence was, Ciara couldn’t wait for the day that this was all over and her and Luka were safe once and for all.

  * * *

  Luka

  The sting of aftershave revealed the invisible nicks along his jaw and lips. Bent over the bathroom sink, Luka peered at himself in the mirror and caught his own gaze. Intelligent, cunning brown eyes framed by a cocky smirk. The high cheekbones of his face carried the expression well. He wore victory better than most, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit it. It felt fucking good to come out on top for once, as though he’d just done a bump to top off his high. Luka hadn’t felt so energized and ready to tackle the world since his club days, and he’d been beginning to fear he’d never feel that good again.

  The game was won. If Vittore Lombardo thought he had him by the balls, he was wrong. Luka was calling the shots now, and if Vittore knew what was good for him, he’d lay low.

  Following his press conference and the launch of Luka’s crime hotline, calls poured in with genuine tips. A prostitution ring had already been busted, young girls who were used as little more than slaves were taken to shelters. Luka couldn’t have asked for a better start to his time in office.

  Just as he’d taken care of matters with the city, he took care of matters at home. Paul was everything Ciara needed and more, and Luka witnessed first hand how her confidence blossomed with him at her side. Most men would find that fodder for jealousy, but Luka knew that Ciara would never mess around on him. Paul was a friend, a confidante, and a damn good bodyguard, and nothing more. Luka valued the service he provided. At home, he secured the building with two more guards, Luka knew if anything were to happen, both men would be on their feet in seconds ready to take care of it. Fuck Lombardo. Vittore had no chance.

  The young mayor lifted his chin, examining the skin along his neck for any patches missed during his shave. Every inch was smooth, the day’s stubble dealt with. Most days Luka waited until the morning to shave, but not today. Today he wanted to look his best for Ciara, because as soon as she got home, they were going to celebrate.

  A sharp click alerted him to Ciara’s arrival, and moments later the sound of her laughter filled the hall. Paul’s baritone carried on the air, words masked but tone clear. Whatever they were talking about, Ciara was happy.

  “I’m here, Paul,” Luka called from the bathroom. There was no more time for last minute touch ups — it was time to spend quality time with the woman he loved and celebrate their victory.

  “Ah, I hear ya, boss,” Paul called back. Luka exited the bathroom and approached the pair. Ciara was busy unbuttoning her coat while Paul stood by the door. “You want me to report to our HQ to help Eric keep an eye on the place?”

  “That would be appreciated. I’ve got things handled here.”

  By the end of this, he was going to see that each guard got a hefty bonus. The end of this. How sweet it would be to see Vittore locked up for life. Only then would he be able to rest easy, knowing his family was safe and that he’d avenged his father’s death. Luka couldn’t wait. Day by day they crept closer. It wouldn’t be long before he caught Vittore and got him where it hurt.

  “See you later, Paul.”

  He nodded politely to Luka, then left them to their own devices. Luka didn’t waste any time. He moved to Ciara’s side and helped her out of her coat.

  “How did the meeting go with Miranda?”

  “Ugh, it was a total disaster.” One boot discarded, Ciara chose where she stood with care to avoid stepping in water dripping from her shoe while she worked on the next. “She kept talking down to me, like I was a sub-human because I’m not from the same background you are. She shot down everything I said, because that’s not the way polite society works. I went off on her. I didn’t flip a table or anything, but I made it clear that I wasn’t to be talked down to like that. I wouldn’t have even sat around as long as I did if it wasn’t for Paul. He’s funny. Every time he saw she was really grating on my nerves, he cut the tension with a joke. I feel like we’re really lucky to have him.”

  Both boots removed, Ciara padded away from the doorway and stretched. Luka took the chance to sweep her up in his arms and pull her close, earning him a girlish giggle as she melted against his chest.

  “If we’re lucky to have him, then it’s a miracle that I have you,” he whispered against her ear as she ran the flats of her hands over his chest. Her skin was still chilled from the winter winds, but he knew he’s soon have her warmed up.

  “You certainly are charming, Mr. Belmonte,” Ciara whispered back, voice coy. “What they say about you is true. I should watch myself, or I might never break free from your charm.”

  “Why break free when you could just stay in my arms forever?” He drew back just enough to see that her eyes had closed, and that she was grinning. Luka leaned his head to join hers, letting his nose brush alongside hers until their lips met — but they did not kiss. Instead, full of love for one another, he held her and spoke against her lips in the softest of ways. “After a day like that, you deserve to be taken care of. Tonight is all about you.”

  “Why do I think,” she whispered, “that letting you take care of me is going to be just as rewarding for you?”

  “If that happens, I won’t object to it,” Luka replied back, smooth as silk. “It all depends on what you’re craving, Ms. Simmons. Tell me; what’s on your mind?”

  With Ciara caught in his arms as she was, he felt the shiver of delight run down her spine. The smart, beautiful woman in his arms had fallen for him yet again. He didn’t deserve someone so perfect.

  “Why don’t we get comfortable,” Ciara said as she drew away from him and took him by the hand, “and then play it by ear? I’m sure between the two of us, we’ll be able to come up with something.”

  Luka already had several somethings up his sleeve. But he didn’t dare break the coy, flirtatious back and forth that heated him around the collar and weighed his gut down with desire. He would worship Ciara until the day he died — of that much he was certain. It was time to show her how much she meant
to him.

  Confident and bold, Ciara led the way to the bedroom. The bed was made up with fresh, crisp sheets that smelled of cotton, and Luka was eager to break them in.

  “While we’re thinking, why don’t you start off by giving me a little back massage?” Ciara asked. Her shirt was already over her head, and she tossed it toward the hamper with little regard for if it hit the target. There were other issues on her mind.

  “I think that’s a great way to start,” Luka agreed. Ciara reached back and unclasped the hooks of her bra, and settled, face down, on the bed. Her long, black body stretched out over the white sheets, beautiful in its contrast. Luka would never grow tired of looking at her.

  Unwilling to rush, Luka climbed upon the bed and straddled Ciara’s hips. His hands met her shoulders, and he began the massage. His soothing touch gradually gained force as he worked her aching muscles and brought her comfort, and Ciara hummed beneath him.

  “Your hands are magic,” she breathed. “I’m thinking you could do this all night and I’d be happy.”

  That was not how Luka would allow the evening to end, and Ciara knew it, but he played along.

  “Whatever your wish, tonight I will grant it.”

  Firm palms worked their way down her sides, and Ciara hummed again as he arrived at the dip of her waist. There his thumbs worked in small circles until she sighed and nestled her head down upon the pillows.

  “No wonder I said I’d marry you,” she whispered in wry amusement. “This feels amazing.”

  “I’m just getting started,” he promised. As though it were a cue, Luka moved down from where he had been kneeling, allowing himself unrestricted access to her lower back. His skilled hands worked the groove at the base of her spine with light touches, and Ciara squirmed and sighed in delight.

  “Luka,” she sighed. It was all the encouragement he needed. Lower and lower his hands crept, until the tips of his fingers were flirting with the backs of her upper thighs, sliding inward to tease the concealed treasure that lay between them. Ciara’s legs parted for him the slightest bit, begging him silently to proceed, but Luka worked at his own pace. His fingertips brushed against her inner thigh teasing her, when his finger slipped forward to circle the strip of fabric covering the most sensitive part of her anatomy, he could feel her heat.

  “Oh, Luka,” she whispered like a summer’s breeze on a hot day. Luka’s body begin to respond to hers. The words she spoke stirred primal needs in him that for now he left unaddressed.

  “Just let me know exactly what you want,” he encouraged her. The arousal he felt clouded his tone, anchoring it with husky need. There was no way Ciara could miss something so obvious, but by now, Luka didn’t mind; he could feel that Ciara was as excited as he was.

  “More,” she begged, her voice altered with the pleasure she felt. Luka’s hand moved in expert strokes, his index finger toying with the fabric of her pants as she pushed down to create further pressure. Ciara’s breaths came in short, staccato gasps now, and each one of them drove him wild. A lesser man would have overpowered her and her made her his, but Luka was far more masterful than most. Instead, his free hand traveled to the waist of her pants and traced along the skin just above it.

  “Would you like me to take them off?” he asked, unable to hold back the needy rumble in his words.

  “Please,” Ciara begged. To help, she lifted her hips to give him access to the fly once pressed against the mattress. The one hand between her legs continued to tease and bring pleasure while the other slid around to her front and struggled with the button there. Following a few botched attempts, Luka freed the button of its hole and unzipped the fly beneath. Ciara’s tight jeans loosened, and he pulled them from her body to reveal the tiny thong she wore beneath. When his finger returned to its circling, he discovered that her slick nectar had soaked through the crotch of her underwear. Ciara was more aroused than he ever would have guessed.

  “That’s my good, naughty girl,” he whispered in praise. The front of his own pants had tightened and bulged outward, but he would wait until she was ready. Tonight was about her, after all. If he wanted relief, he would have to work her to desperation. Moving in a deliberately slow speed, Luka lowered himself over her body and placed a kiss on the back of her neck as his hand toyed with her over the thin cotton of her thong.

  Ciara gasped against the pillow, pressing down against him one moment, then shivering the next. Still, he knew he could press her further. Luka’s lips trailed down her spine, planting a kiss between her shoulder blades, and then one just below it. Down that gorgeous valley he traveled, kissing her dark skin. By the time he arrived at the small of her back, Ciara knew what was to come, and she moaned and spread her legs further.

  “Keep going,” she pleaded. Her hips rose from the mattress just slightly, presenting herself to him. The position allowed him to graze this teeth down the curve of one of her cheeks to catch the string waistband, and with a passionate, animalistic snarl, Luka pulled the garment down to her knees to expose her sex in full. The view was breathtaking. Swollen lips glistening, begging for his attention, Luka couldn’t hold back. Pressing his face against her ass, he ran his tongue along her pussy, savoring her mild taste. Ciara gasped and buried her head into the pillow to tide the sharper, shrill sounds of her ecstasy. Luka grabbed her hips and twisted them up, plunging his tongue into her from behind. When he found her engorged clit, those sounds intensified.

  “Luka!” muffled as it was against the pillows, it was almost incomprehensible. Luka’s ego swelled, and his efforts renewed. Ciara cried out again, her ass writhing back against him and pressing against his nose. He was hungry for her, his tongue worked into a frenzy against her clit. Tasting her stirred the primal part of his nature, but hearing her cry out for him woke the man. Ciara lit him up in ways that no one else did, and if her selfish pleasure was all she wanted to indulge in, he had no qualms with that at all.

  Ciara cried out as the ripple of pleasure racked her body. Luka held her hips tight as he devoured her, sweet nectar covering his freshly shaved jaw.

  “Luka, please,” she gasped. “I need you! Fuck me!”

  No one had ever resisted for long, and Luka was happy to oblige. Following a final, lingering lap at her clit, he pulled back from her body and undid the fly of his pants, dropping them and the boxer briefs beneath to expose his thick cock.

  “Tell me how much you want it,” he prompted. His chest met her back, and he ran the head of his cock along her slicked crevice, not yet allowing himself to penetrate. Before he took her, he wanted to hear how deeply her need had rooted. Ciara was so fiercely independent that he loved making her submit to him. He knew the bedroom was his only shot at weakening her resolve enough for it to happen. Ciara lifted her head from the pillows to speak.

  “I— oh, Luka! Please, I want it so bad. Don’t make me beg.”

  The length of his cock slid against her, brushing by her entrance but not taking advantage of it. Ciara squirmed and moved her hips to try to capture him, but it was to no avail — Luka was in charge, and he wasn’t about to let her run the show.

  “Tell me,” he whispered into her ear. The weight of his body pushed down against her, creating fantastic pressure. Ciara ate it up.

  “I want you so bad I can’t stand it,” she moaned. “I can’t wait for you another second, Luka! Please! Please fuck me!”

  For now it would do. Smirking, Luka gave her everything she wanted. When the thick girth of his cock slid between her legs and filled her, Ciara buried her head into the pillows once more and cried out in blissful stupor. The pleasure she felt was not hers alone — the tight confines of her body were satisfying unlike anything else, and Luka groaned low as he pushed deeper. She was so wet that he easily slid in until his balls slapped against her sensitive pussy.

  “Ciara,” Luka breathed. “F-fuck, do you feel amazing.” The Italian party boy he fought so hard to keep locked up inside slipped forth and colored his words. Beneath him, Ciara met
his slow thrusts and pivoted her hips to provide him with new angles. It didn’t matter how she held herself — no matter how he pushed into her, she felt fantastic.

  “Keep going,” a plea. “A little harder. A little faster.”

  Luka thrust into her faster, swaying her body with each buck of his hips. The sound of their bodies slapping together forcefully was like an applause. Ciara’s body worked him into near frenzy. Pressure built inside, and the urge to release gripped him. Struggle as he might to contain it, Luka knew that he was working on borrowed time; Ciara’s body would chase an orgasm from him before long.

  “I’m going to...” They were her words, not his, and Luka perked up as he heard them. Knowing Ciara was close bolstered his determination, and he held back on his climax as he worked her body toward the edge.

  “I’m going to cum, too,” he told her, the words too hot to hold back. “You make me so fucking hot, Ciara. I’m going to give you everything I have when you tighten around me and let go. I want to feel every ripple running along the length of my cock, begging for my cum. That’s what you want, isn’t it? Such a dirty girl...”

  A little bit of dirty talk was all it took. Vocalizing his fantasies had brought him dangerously close to the edge, but it tipped Ciara over hers. Her tight pussy gripped him, and the rippling contractions of her orgasm fluttered against his shaft. Luka exhaled deep as the urge to shoot became a need. He could no longer resist, and warm spurts of his seed shot through his cock and planted themselves deep inside of her. Even after he had depleted his load, Ciara’s body continued to tremble as she came down from her high. Together they settled on the bed, and Luka kissed the back of her neck.

  “Are you sure you’re ready to keep me around for the rest of your long life, Ms. Simmons?” he asked, exhausted but playful. “I don’t know if you can handle that on a regular basis.”

  Ciara snorted in good humor, collapsed in full against the mattress. The massage had relaxed her body, but her muscles were never so loose as they were post-orgasm. He’d done a good job.